Index Page                                Archives

Onion Prices continue to rise

     New Delhi: It is now onion, just after the Liquefied Petroleum Gas, which is disturbing common man at festival time in the national capital. This sudden and sharp price rise, from rupees eight a kilogram to rupees 30 and above, is being attributed to the shortage of onions due to crop losses in in Maharashtra due to heavy rains. The Government is expecting the crisis to last till fresh stocks arrive from Rajasthan, in the first week of November. But many see similarities in the way the prices have risen of LPG and onion. The shortages, it is felt, have been manipulated beyond what was called for. Petroleum Minister Mani Shankar Aiyer consistently maintained for two weeks that there was no such shortage of LPG; same is the case with Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar assuring the public that the shortage is marginal, and has ruled out the proposals for importing onions. The excuses for the price rise come in the form of festival or rain or drought or severe shortage . There may be some truth in these excuses, but, the hype created by media also contributes to the price rise. A mini-truth is blown up , which is exploited by traders. Currently, as Diwali approaches, there are fears that traders might be hoarding onions, which will create fresh trouble for the government. Sometimes, even the hands of petty officials may be greased.